300,000 students and 8,000 teachers resume studies with UNRWA

This came in a televised statement published by UNRWA on its page on the “X” platform.

Abu Hasna said, “The agency has developed plans to resume education after two years of disruption,” noting that “ten thousand students will receive their education in some shelter centers, while the rest will study through virtual learning.” He added that around 8,000 teachers will participate in the educational process.

He stressed that the continued suspension of education is no longer possible after years of war and the repercussions of COVID-19, which have left thousands of children in Gaza unable to read and write.

Education in the Gaza Strip has been suspended since the Zionist regime’s occupation began its war of genocide on Gaza on October 7, 2023, as most UNRWA and government schools were converted into shelters, in addition to many that were completely or partially destroyed.

According to data from the Palestinian Ministry of Education as of September 16, the Zionist regime’s occupation army destroyed 172 government schools in Gaza and bombed or damaged 118 more, in addition to bombing and damaging more than 100 schools belonging to UNRWA.

The same data shows that during the Zionist regime’s genocidal war, 17,711 students were martyred and 25,897 others injured in the Gaza Strip, while 763 school staff members were killed and 3,189 others injured.

Meanwhile, Abu Hasna said that the occupation authorities are not allowing the large quantities of aid that the agency possesses to enter the Gaza Strip. He noted that UNRWA is ready to distribute food supplies and operate 22 central clinics in the enclave.

He condemned the Israeli attempts to obstruct this humanitarian effort, saying, “Many essential supplies such as shelter materials, blankets, winter clothing, and medicines are not being allowed into Gaza from the Israeli side, which further worsens the humanitarian situation.” He pointed out that 95 percent of Gaza’s residents rely on humanitarian aid due to the loss of their sources of income.

Abu Hasna warned that “the situation is deteriorating dangerously, and hundreds of thousands of displaced people are living in the open after returning to Gaza City following the entry into force of the ceasefire agreement (on October 10).” He stressed that the entry of aid has become an urgent necessity before the winter season.